User Reviews

Overall Rating:

Value Rating:

Submitted by
Rick
a Audio Enthusiast

Date Reviewed: July 24, 2001

Bottom Line:

I had a complete Adcom Pro-Logic home theater system. In my quest to upgrade my system I determined to spend the most I could possibly afford on a processor. I started with a Denon, stepped up to a Rotel and made the quantum leap to the Meridian. Purchased used from a dealer. This is a unit I have only dreamed of having. Since the retail is over $5K for the 565 and the accompanying 562v is $2,300, I figured I would have to sell a body part if I wanted new. The newer version of the 565, the 568 is even more $. Needless to say this was the deal of a lifetime for me. It has far exceeded my expectations when I finally hooked it up. The sound is astounding! I could use more adjectives to describe this unit but it would just use up alot of space. Sounds great at low volume and high. No distortion, no hiss, no buzz, just clear crisp heart pounding sound. I cranked up the depth charge scene of U-571 the other day and just about blew the windows out of the house. Scared the crap out of my cat. She couldn't get out of the room fast enough. The sound is truely unbelievable. By far, the best bang for the buck, literally! Had it upgraded to the lastest software version (6.0) by the local dealer for free. Now equivalent to a new 568; DTS, 7.1 Dolby, etc. Great response from Meridian and the dealer. I am a happy camper. The next step is to go active. Saving my money for some Meridian DSP's.

I was very pleased with this product before except for the DTS problems mentioned in a previous review. The dealer changed the E-Prom to the latest version and downloaded the new 6.0 software. WOW. Now it does everything right. It sounded great before, but now it's even better. So much so that I adjusted my seating position and the speakers to fully realize the improvements. Bass is even deeper and more controlled bass, details stand out like never before, and the autoswitching to AC-3, DTS, THX, Dolby Pro Logic, etc. works perfectly. I saw in another review here that the 565 has no video switching. That's because it's meant to be used with the 562 control unit that has 7 analogue inputs, 5 coax digital in, 2 optical in, 5 composite video in, and 2 S-video in which in turn are output on your choice of video, and all the sound is converted to digital and sent to the 565. Both units work in sync from one system remote. One button switches audio, video, sound type, processing, turns on other equipment or screen lowering with trigger outputs, etc. This is as good as it gets and is upgradable for any thing new by the RS 232 computer jack. Did I forget to mention that it now processes 24 bit 96k audio? This equipment is a tennnn. Meridian also makes a unit called the 565 which attempts to get all this in one box and can be upgraded over the internet. Very slightly lower quality of sound and a few less in/outs but saves the cost of the 562. The only thing that sounds better than this is their 861, but that's $15 grand.

This is an update for the 6.0D release of software which adds support for DTS/MPEG/DVD's, MLP, adjustible crossover from 30-150 in 1HZ steps, new layout "N", 24 bit support, auto detection of all formats and selectible default processing for all formats and upgrade surround decoding for all formats. A free EPROM upgrade ! DTS DVD sound terriffic, I wish I could get some MPEG 7.1 DVD's, someday. The auto detect feature works great, and the abilty to asign presets for each format is a big plus. Meridian's BASS management is special, with Layout "N" you set all speakers to large and assign a number based on the drive size, quanity and enclosure type, the 565 will protect the speakers by sensing the limits of the siganl and speakers and directing the over conditions to the sub or subs. It's not a straight crossover, it let's your speakers deliever what they can and backs them up with the sub.

the 565 is a great digital surround sound processor, it doesn't have video switching and alot of inputs, it doesn't have analog passthru and thats why I love it even more, I have a 501 analog preamp that interfaces perfectly with the 565, the soon to release 581 video switcher will complete it. The 565 does digital ! Setup is easy and very flexible, configure the 8 channels as you like choose 5 channels and upto 3 subs center, front, stereo, rear or 7.1. the soon to be release mkII software will make the 565 state of the art, 8 channels of 24/96, MLP, PC interface. The 565 has been around since 93 and Meridain commitment to this unit is incredible, what other surround processor has it track record. The sound of the 565 is reference quality, DD/DTS/THX processing is exact you never lose anything or get anything extra. CD/PCM music in the direct mode is excellent the DAC and it's processing are audiophile. The other surround fields are excellent the best and very enjoyable, when you switch them off you really miss them. Auto select of DPL/DD/DTS, 3 DTS mode DTS, DTS/THX, DTS CD. Another great feature of the 565 is the way you can adjust the setting for each surround mode and save them without effecting the orignal setup. modify the matrix sterring of front to back, delays, levels, lipsync, as well as the standard tone and balance. I would give it 6 stars